UFC on FOX 2's Beltran leaning on fan support while rolling out UFC welcome wagon

For the third time in as many UFC fights, heavyweight slugger Joey Beltran (13-6 MMA, 3-3 UFC) will welcome an octagon newcomer into the cage.

That’s just fine, says “The Mexicutioner.” If he’s got to be the UFC’s doorman, bring it on.

“I’m ready to do my job,” Beltran told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “Apparently I’ve been designated as the gatekeeper and welcome-wagon extraordinaire. I’m ready to let him know what’s up, what to expect.”

On Saturday night, Beltran welcomes former Strikeforce heavyweight Lavar Johnson (15-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) to the octagon at UFC on FOX 2, which takes place at Chicago’s United Center. The two kick off the evening’s six-bout FUEL TV-broadcast preliminary card.

Johnson looks to snap a two-fight losing streak, but with 13 of his 15 wins coming by knockout, he certainly has the capability to end the fight at any time. The key will likely lie in Johnson’s ability to manage the dreaded “octagon jitters” in his first UFC appearance.

Beltran believes that’s a legitimate concern of any UFC newcomer but thinks Johnson will likely be unaffected by the bright lights.

“The octagon jitters and the adrenaline dump is definitely a real thing, but Lavar has fought in big promotions before, and he’s been the top dog,” Beltran said. “He’s been the big fish in the smaller pond, but nonetheless, with that comes a certain amount of pressure. He’s definitely not a rookie or someone that I expect to be caught up in the moment. I expect a tough fight and an exciting fight and one that I’m definitely ready for.”

Beltran, of course, is mired in a 1-3 slump over his past four outings and needs to pick up a win against Johnson. Two fights ago, he earned a third-round TKO of Aaron Rosa in a back-and-forth UFC 131 affair, but in his most recent bout, he looked flat in a decision loss to Stipe Miocic.

Beltran admits his lack of mental focus during the fight ultimately cost him the result.

“After the fight, I thought I got the tar kicked out of me the whole time,” Beltran said. “I just felt horrible about the way I fought. Then I watched it after, and I was like, ‘Oh, that fight was really close until I gave up that last takedown.’ With like a minute (and) 15 (seconds) left, I gave up that last takedown, and he rode me out and won the third round and ultimately won the fight.”

The 30-year-old Beltran said he took the loss especially hard and remained disappointed in his performance when he returned home. It actually took a chance encounter from a few fans to finally raise his spirits.

“Right after the fight, I was definitely bummed,” Beltran said. “I fought that fight, and I was sick the whole week and trying to pump myself full of vitamins. There were a lot of things that went in there, but the bottom line is I felt like I gave a crappy performance, even though everyone was telling me it was a good fight. I felt I could have done way better.

“But once I came home, I think it was that Monday night, I was out shopping at Ross buying school clothes for my kids. I had two or three fans come up to me shopping in the mall and had some really kind words and really inspired me to continue fighting and that I am doing alright.”

Despite his recent struggles, Beltran has built a loyal following over his six-fight UFC run. It’s the support of the fans that currently fuel Beltran’s fire, and he’s taken to heart the lessons of his most recent loss.

“I always have to remind myself that the guys I’m fighting are world-class athletes, and we are fighting the best fighters in the world,” Beltran said. “It’s not like I’m losing in Gladiator Challenge or I’m losing in a small promotion. If that was the case, we’d have to reevaluate the situation as far as what I’m doing. But to go out and perform, put on solid performances in the cage, on top of all the other stuff – the blogging, interviews, interacting with fans – to sum it all up, I definitely feel the love, and it feels really nice.

“It’s all a learning process. People forget, I’ve been fighting five years, total. I got into the UFC after three. it’s a little bit of on-the-job training as far as getting better and learning and becoming a big fighter.”

On Saturday night, both Beltran and Johnson could very well be fighting for their spots on the UFC roster. Both make little attempt to hide their gameplans: It’s bombs away.

But Beltran isn’t feeling any pressure to maintain his job, to represent the UFC against the incoming Strikeforce heavyweights or any other role he’s currently playing.

“Honestly, I just feel the pressure that I have a giant 6-foot-5 guy who’s going to come and try to hurt me,” Beltran said. “It doesn’t matter where he’s fought. It doesn’t matter who it is that I’m fighting. I usually have the mentality that it’s a big guy that wants to hurt me, so I’m going to try and hurt him before he does.”

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